EOIN’S ONE FOUR ALL!
Shels just can’t shake off determined Saints
EOIN DOYLE proved spot with a brace of penalties as St Patrick’s Athletic came from behind three times to salvage a point in a rollercoaster Dublin derby at Tolka Park.
As well as eight goals, three of them penalties, there were three more disallowed.
All mixed in with nine yellow cards and three reds, two from the dugouts.
The battling point edges St Pat’s to within four points of third-place Dundalk who they meet at Oriel Park on Friday.
Shelbourne were deservedly ahead on 13 minutes.
Broke
Shane Griffin’s pass broke off the suspiciously offside Shane Farrell for Sean Boyd who shot past Danny Rogers.
Scarcely in the game, St Pat’s hit back to equalise on 21 minutes. Barry Cotter collected skipper Joe Redmond’s long ball down the right to cut back across and drill a left-foot shot into the far corner.
Shelbourne regained the lead 10 minutes later. Scott Matty Smith careered forward to drive a shot that beat Rogers at his near post, scoring against the club he was leading scorer for last season.
The visitors thought they had levelled nine minutes before the break, but Mark Doyle’s header was disallowed.
But Saints were on terms again as the watch ticked into added time. Eoin Doyle’s super header from a Jay McClelland corner was tipped onto the crossbar by Brendan Clarke.
Harry Brockback appeared to get a touch back towards goal with Boyd merely helping the ball into the roof of the net for what may go down as an OG.
Boyd was central to Shels regaining the lead in a riproaring game on 52 minutes.
John Ross Wilson went past McClelland too easily on the right to cross where Brockback pulled down Boyd.
The big striker sent Rogers the wrong way from 12 yards for his second goal of the night.
Pat’s had the ball in the net at the other end minutes later but Eoin Doyle was offside.
Boyd thought he’d scored again, but it was disallowed for a handball.
Stretch
Shels did get a fourth goal on 65 minutes to stretch their lead. St Pat’s failed to cut out Wilson’s cross and JJ Lunney curled home from 20 yards.
There was no let up in the action as Pat’s got a goal back on 68 minutes, Eoin Doyle slotting home a penalty after Shane Farrell fouled Sam Curtis.
Emotions then boiled over on the sideline as Saints boss Tim Clancy and Shels coach Alan Quinn were shown straight reds.
And it wasn’t over yet. Griffin pulled down Eoin Doyle on 78 minutes as Shels conceded a second penalty. Doyle again sending Clarke the wrong way.
With no end to the action, the width of a post then deprived St Pat’s of an 83rd minute winner as Cotter’s free-kick cannoned back off an upright.
The game’s final play saw St Pat’s midfielder Jamie Lennon sent off for a second yellow card offence.